If you're looking for an authentic Carne Asada recipe - this is it! Grilled Carne Asada tastes better and looks more beautiful than it has a right to, if you judge a meal by the amount of effort it takes. And it's a sensory pleasure before it even touches the grill!
As you squeeze fresh orange, lime and lemon juices for the marinade, then whisk in cilantro, garlic and jalapeño, the aroma that floats up to your nose is nothing short of heavenly. Then the steak cooks hot and fast, on your table in about 20 minutes, complete with gorgeous grill marks and a perfectly pink and tender interior.
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Ingredients You Need to Make Carne Asada
- Steak: outside skirt steak is best for tenderness and flavor, but flank steak is also an option
- Jalapeño: with the seeds if you like for extra spicy kick
- Garlic: fresh garlic cloves
- Fresh Cilantro: both the tender leaves and stems
- Orange: juice of 1 fresh orange
- Lime: juice of 1 fresh lime
- Lemon: juice of 1 fresh lemon
- Apple Cider Vinegar: or white vinegar
- Olive Oil: extra-virgin olive oil
- Ground Cumin
- Kosher Salt and Freshly Ground Black Pepper
Carne Asada Marinade
Carne Asada marinade is an essential part of making this recipe authentic! Zesty, fresh citrus juices (lime juice, orange juice, and lemon juice) and apple cider vinegar tenderize the beef, while fresh cilantro, cumin, salt, and pepper season it to perfection. It's important to give the meat plenty of time to marinate, a minimum of 1 hour and up to 8 hours, to soak up all of the delicious flavors!
FAQ
The literal translation of the term means Carne (flesh, meat or beef) and Asada (roast, broiled, grilled), typically translated to 'Grilled Meat' and most often is seared in some way for that signature charred flavor (which you can get with a grill pan too using my recipe for Carne Asada in the oven.)
There are several cuts of beef used to make Carne Asada including sirloin and tenderloin, but most recipes call for either flank steak or skirt steak. I've tried both and definitely prefer outside skirt steak for its flavor and texture. Either way you'll want to thinly slice the steak across the grain before serving for maximum tenderness!
How Long to Grill?
Grill the steak over a medium-high flame for 7 to 10 minutes until it reaches 130°F for medium rare, 10 to 12 minutes until it reaches 140°F for medium. (The steak will continue to cook once you've removed it from the grill.) Transfer steak to cutting board and let rest 5 minutes before slicing.
How to Serve
This grilled Mexican steak is perfect any time you have plans for an outdoor get together with friends and family. But be sure you make plenty (or make Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas to go with it!) Serve it on its own, or with warm tortillas, fresh pico de gallo and all the toppings for:
- Carne Asada Tacos
- Carne Asada Burritos
- Carne Asada Quesadillas
- Carne Asada Steak Salad
- Carne Asada Nachos
- Carne Asada Fries
How to Store
Store leftover carne asada in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Or freeze in a freezer safe ziptop bag or container for up to 2 months.
How to Make Carne Asada
Combine all marinade ingredients in a large, glass baking dish. Add raw skirt steak or flank steak, turning to coat and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour and up to 8 hours (any longer will start to break down the meat).
Recipe Video
Carne Asada Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 pounds skirt steak trimmed of excess fat (recipe note #2)
Carne Asada Marinade
- 1 jalapeño seeded and minced
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- ½ cup fresh cilantro leaves chopped
- juice of 1 orange
- juice of 1 lime
- juice of 1 lemon
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- ⅓ cup olive oil
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- In a large glass baking dish whisk together Carne Asada marinade ingredients (jalapeño through black pepper) until combined. Add skirt steak in a single layer, turning to coat with marinade. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, but no longer than 8 hours (longer will begin to break down the meat - recipe note #3).
- When you're ready to grill: preheat an outdoor grill to medium-high heat. Grill steaks for 7 to 10 minutes per side, turning once for medium-rare. Remove steaks and allow to rest for 5 minutes.
- Slice thinly across the grain and serve.
Notes
- To make this version, we started with a recipe from Tyler Florence and switched it up to make it our own: swapping in apple cider vinegar, reducing the oil a bit and adding a third citrus flavor (lemon) and some cumin. Adding lemon juice to the mix happened by chance. I'd just finished a batch of homemade tonic water which left us with a slew of lemons, limes and oranges, flesh and juice intact, sans zest. And I love the citrus trifecta - now I may always use making tonic water as an excuse to make Carne Asada!
- Ask your butcher or grocery meat counter for 'outside skirt steak' for the most flavorful and juicy results.
- Note that the longer you marinate the skirt steak, the more tender and flavorful it will be come. But be sure to grill it within 8 hours to maintain the texture of the meat.
Oh my word!!! This marinade is unbelievable. My wife and I both commented that we had to just stop or we were going to make ourselves sick from eating so much of the marinated meat! Hahaha... Thank you for this recipe. We are your newest, biggest fans!!
You made my day, Phil! So glad this recipe is a hit with you and your wife. I appreciate you coming back to let me know.
It's finally time I post a review. This recipe is absolutely delicious, Marissa. I've been grilling this carne asada recipe all summer. I dice up the meet for carne asada tacos. My wife who is from El Salvador loves it! Her family says these are the best carne asada tacos they've ever had. Her brother says, "The gringo can cook!" after eating 6 tacos. My six-year-old daughter hovers over me while I'm dicing up the meat and plucks out pieces to eat. Lol. I also make a special guacamole sauce for a topping. It's a recipe I concocted after eating tacos from a street vendor in Mexico — it's not an exact copy of the same sauce, but it's pretty darn close. Anyway, your carne asada recipe has been my go-to when hosting family and friends. Thank you, Marissa!
Well Kevin, you made my month with this comment! I'm so happy that this recipe is such a big hit for you and your family.
Kevin, would love to see the guacamole sauce recipe!
I just added my steak to the marinade, so I have about 6 hours before I need it, lol!
Phenomenal!! This recipe was absolutely spot on perfect…took the family to flavor town and we will be back again!
aww...love this! You made my day, Samantha. So glad this was a hit with you and your family.
Absolutely amazing recipe. I had some friends over for dinner unexpectedly and this was a huge hit! I’m a bit lazy and just threw everything in the food processor so I didn’t have to chop anything. That’s the only change I made and it was perfect. Thank you for sharing!!
I love to hear that, Kerry! You made my day.
Love all your recipes !!!
Thank you … Merci ….Mille Grazie !!!
aww, thank you, Nanette!
You do not even understand how much my family and I LOVE this recipe! I make this once a week, and it is just so delicious! Thanks so much for making our dinner time so much better!
Rachel, this is so wonderful to hear. I'm so happy that this recipe is such a hit with you and your family. Sweet of you to let me know!
So delicious every time I make it!
So glad you're enjoying the recipe!
Marissa, It looks delicious, pretty, easy and healthy. Definitely going to try this weekend for my kiddos. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks so much, Alice! I hope that you and your kids enjoy it!
Perfect timing! We are celebrating as couples tomorrow, our friends' who are expecting baby boy! The theme is Mexican and she LOVES Carne Asada. Any tips for making this at home and transporting/keeping it warm but not overcooked for the large group? Thanks!
Looks delicious! Can't wait to make it.
What a fun way to celebrate your friends' happy news! I would transport the carne asada in a preheated baking dish covered with foil. If at all possible, it would be great to reheat it right before serving in a hot skillet with a little oil (similar to what I do for Carne Asada Nachos), just for a minute or two. Have a wonderful time!
This is the best baseline for carne asada you will find. It has everything needed to make proper carne asada for salads or tacos or fajitas. Missing lemons? Use more lime. No lime? Use more lemon and orange. No cider vinegar? Use white vinegar. It really won't hurt. Personally I like heat so I use much more jalapeno.
Now let me add a personal tip. If you like fajitas then cut up a bunch of onion and peppers and toss it into the bag/bowl with the marinating meat. Then drain and caramelize those peppers and onion in a pan with a little butter or oil. You have fajitas bursting with flavor!
Thank you for your kind comment, John. Love your idea for fajitas!
We had a crowd over for Sunday dinner and used this recipe with 10lbs o NY Sirloin. It was delicious!!!! Loved loved loved it. And the marinade completely flavored the steaks in just 4 hours. Impressive to say the least!
That's fantastic, Michelle! Thank you for coming back to let me know!
This 4th generation Texan says Excellent! Be aware the skirt steak is the diaphragm muscle of the cow. Has 2 parts: inside skirt which is thinner and tougher having little flavor; this is what you get at the grocery store. The outside skirt is thicker, tender and has much more flavor. This is what you get in higher end restaurants. Ya gotta request it at meat markets and grocery stores.
Great advice! Our butcher just sells the outside skirt steak so I didn't think to mention it, but I'll definitely make a note of this in the recipe. Thank you!
Wow those cuts look amazing
Thank you, Joanne!
Marissa, that carne asada is grilled to absolute perfection! I just want to reach through my screen and grab a piece. Definitely a big hit at my house!
Thanks, Kelly!
Oh my gosh! I'm not really a steak guy, but this one looks phenomenal; so succulent and cooked to perfection. Love the marinade, too!
Wow! Thanks so much, Ben!
I definitely remember this!!! Thank you for the reminder, because I'm TOTALLY making this when we fire up the grill this weekend!! Yaaasss!
woohoo! You know I love to hear that, Cheyanne!
Oh my gosh! This carne asada needs to jump off my computer screen and right onto my grill. This seriously looks amazing, Marissa! I'm thinking this would be an excellent addition to the menu for 4th of July...or really any night during the summer. That steak looks like it's been grilled to perfection! 🙂
Thank you, David!! Yes, perfect for celebrating on the 4th!
Your video has me drooling Marissa! This carne asada looks totally mouthwatering!
Thank you so much, Mary Ann!
Marissa, this looks heavenly. I would like a few slices of this with your Pico de Gallo and a tortilla. YUM!
Thank you, Valentina! Love how you think!
Hey Marissa,
Beyond hungry, of course, do you know what your posts make me feel? Happy!Thanks for sharing.
Thanks so much, Ashton!
This is fabulous! I love the addition of three citrus fruits. I cannot wait to try the recipe. I've made so many recipes out of Mexican cookbooks, but really I don't think I've made actual carne asada!
Thank you, Mimi!! I'm excited to hear what you think!